New dates added: Here’s to new adventures in 2025!

Water Women's Weekend Newquay

Some day programme / From £0000 Book now

Dive into North Cornwall’s natural beauty. Whether you’re already a water baby or are looking to dip your toe in for the first time, reconnect with nature by wild swimming, surfing and stand-up paddleboarding to your heart's content.

Why Newquay?

Escape the hustle and bustle of your daily grind and embrace nature on this two-day adventure to the coast in North Cornwall. Based in the laid-back surf town of Newquay, we are surrounded by natural beauty – from wind-and-wave-whipped cliffs that plunge into the ocean to tranquil rivers that meander through green valleys.

What to expect

The sea and river will be your playground as you surf, swim and paddle over the weekend. You’ll get our hearts pounding by catching waves on our surfboards. Then you’ll slow things down with stand-up paddleboarding and a wild swimming experience. You'll leave the weekend with wet hair and a smile plastered across your face.

Who’s this course for?

If you’re new to any of the activities, don’t worry. This weekend is suitable for women of all experiences and backgrounds. We’ve got your back, no matter what. Start your water baby journey in a supportive, no-pressure, female-friendly environment.

What level am I?

Why choose us?

Both the surfing and stand-up paddleboarding sessions will be led by our highly-qualified coaching team, and all abilities are catered for. Our instructors are all qualified lifeguards and are fully insured, so you’ll be in safe hands!

When to come?

All year round! Lucky for us, Cornwall benefits from the warmest air and sea temperatures in the UK. The north coast of Cornwall is exposed to consistent Atlantic swell year-round, which means our waves are better than anywhere else in the country.

Quick facts

Water Temp

18°C

Climate

6 - 32°C

Wave Types

Beach

Language

English

What people say

"The Water Women Weekend was a great way to try new things and meet like-minded women, which is great when you are the only one of your friends obsessed with the sea! They all take great care of you, our instructors were fantastic at allowing everyone to go at their own pace, and the communication before means you go into the weekend completely at ease. I can't wait to come back!"

"Thank you so much to all of the amazing ladies who took care of us the Water Women Weekend. It was obvious that a lot of care, thought and attention had been put into planning our days. I had the best time wild swimming, surfing and paddleboarding. I felt so safe in the water and it was awesome to meet new people and make lots of new friends. I already cannot wait to book another weekend in the future!"

"Had a fantastic time on the Water Water Weekend. It was a good group of solo women of mixed ages and abilities. We enjoyed all the activities in a friendly, safe and encouraging environment. I left wanting to do it all again. Would highly recommend and don’t be nervous if you have limited or no experience of water activities - you’ll get so much out of it!"

Itinerary

Please note, sometimes we need to be flexible as some activities will be weather and condition dependent – but don’t worry, we’ll always do our very best to ensure you get the very best out of the trip! All our surf days and suggested activities are completely optional – you can enjoy as much or as little as you desire. This is not a boot camp!

Day One

We’ll meet up at around 8:00 am for our first sea swim. This is a great chance to overcome any nerves about cold water swimming. We’ll be based in the harbour, which has steps leading down to the water for a gentle entry. It may feel refreshing, but know that that’s a good thing! There are numerous benefits to cold water swimming, including improving circulation, reducing stress and boosting your immune system. Seawater is also rich in minerals like magnesium, zinc, iron and potassium – which is great for your skin. It also leaves you feeling refreshed and revived. After our dip, you’ll soon see why cold water swimming is so popular – and addictive!

After drying off, it’s time for breakfast. We’ll head to one of our favourite cafes for a great coffee, a bite to eat and to chill before the next activity.

Once refuelled, it’s time to surf. Zip up your wetsuit, grab your board and head across the golden sand into the waves. The two-hour surf lesson is a great taster for anyone who is new to surfing and wants to give it a go for the first time or maybe has tried it a few times before.

During the afternoon we hang out, chill, or explore Newquay. We have built a great relationship with some of the best surf shops and independent boutiques in Newquay over the years. Join us on a tour of them – and some local cafes – with exclusive Women + Waves discounts in some shops.

In the early evening, we’ll meet up for a drink at one of our favourite bars. Then we’ll enjoy a coastal walk to a beachside restaurant to watch the sunset over the sea while tucking into a delicious, well-earned dinner. With plenty of nearby bars, feel free to continue your night from there, or head back to catch some Zs.

Day Two

After yesterday’s activities in the sea, today is all about the river. We’ll meet up near the Gannel Estuary for a briefing and to learn, or recap on, some SUP skills. Then it’s time to jump onto the boards, stand up and paddle + Super SUP through the calm water for a two-hour SUP tour.
Paddleboarding is a great way to unwind – gliding along, you can look out for wildlife (this is a great spot for bird watching) and watch the landscape changing around you. This spot is flanked by sheep-dotted valleys and opens up to Crantock beach and the open ocean.

When it’s time to cool off, we’ll moor up some ‘super SUPs’ – these huge multi person stand up paddleboards are the perfect jumping-off pontoon – for our second dose of wild swimming.
With a morning of paddleboarding, Super SUPing and swimming under our belts, we’ll head for brunch at another of our favourite spots, overlooking the waves at Fistral Beach. After lunch it’s time to head home…until next time!

What’s included

Experience the best of the Cornish coast on this two-day escape. Enjoy a taster of water-based activities, including wild swimming, surfing and stand-up paddleboarding. Discover great local hangouts and the beautiful coast path on a relaxed, social weekend with like-minded women. 

 

  • One taster surfing lesson (two hours)
  • One guided stand-up paddleboarding tour (two hours)
  • One guided wild swimming session
  • All your equipment (wetsuit, surfboard, paddleboard + paddle)
  • Surf shop, boutique and café tour of Newquay
  • Encouragement and feedback on every ride paddle out and wipeout!
  • Good times with like-minded women
  • Discount card for apres surf food/drink and the Rip Curl shop (15%)
  • Discounted hotel accommodation

The Water Women Weekend is all about you, we want you to enjoy it, and get everything out of it that you hope to. We’ll have a chat at the start of the weekend about what your motivations are for coming, and give you encouragement and feedback every step of the way! If your goal is simply to have fun, don’t worry, we can go easy on the coaching elements. 

Our expert team will assess conditions in the evening for the day ahead, to ensure you get the best available ocean and river conditions. We are experienced at forecasting and have knowledge of how this translates to the conditions on the beach.

 

Whatever your ability and experience for every activity, we’ve got you covered as our tuition is tailored to suit your ability perfectly. Our sessions are zero pressure, lots of fun and our female instructors are all qualified lifeguards and are fully insured, so you’ll be in safe hands! 

 

This two-day programme gives you the perfect introduction to wild swimming, SUP and surfing in a safe and supportive environment. With practical instruction in the water your skills will skyrocket by the end of the weekend! Here’s what you can expect to learn in your surf taster session:

 

Practical / In the water

  • Basic ocean safety and identifying rip currents
  • Getting to know the parts of a surfboard
  • Handling and controlling the board
  • Riding whitewater waves lying on the board
  • Catching broken waves
  • Getting to your feet (and staying up!)
  • Working on your pop up and take off
  • Body positioning on the board
  • Stalling and accelerating
  • Basic paddling techniques

Every waking minute of the Water Women Weekend will revolve around you, and your fellow guests; ensuring everyone has a great time. Sprinkle in lots of fun, friendship and female support along the way, and you have a recipe for one of the best weekends of your life.

 

A highlight of the weekend is dinner on Saturday. After a day surfing and swimming in the sea we have earned some tasty, locally sourced food and Cornwall is the home to some delicious dishes. We work with our favourite local beach side restaurants to create a chilled evening that takes in scrummy food and drink. It’s entirely optional but it’s a great opportunity to let your hair down, make new friends and relax after a great day’s surfing. All dietary requirements are catered for.

Newquay’s coastal cafés offer stunning views. There is no better way to unwind than with a coffee in hand chatting, watching the waves break with like-minded women. There is no better way to start the day than a wild swim followed by a delicious breakfast and coffee on the coast! Please bring a reusable water bottle and mug.

 

Travel

Newquay is a 15-minute drive from the A30, which links to the M5. We’re based near Towan Beach. We’ll send you detailed information before your arrival, including parking instructions and maps.

The railway station is in the town centre. If you’re travelling by train, we may be able to pick you up from the station (time dependent). Get in touch for more details.

 

We’re a 20-minute drive from Newquay airport. You can fly into Newquay from London, Manchester, Birmingham, Leeds, Dublin, Edinburgh and Glasgow. Flights are available from key European cities. Once you’ve landed there are buses or taxis available into Newquay town centre.

Take a closer look

Dates and prices

Date
23rd - 24th August 2025
Price£249

FAQs

If you’d like to join our event please click our ‘Book Now’ button and complete our quick and easy online payment system or please give us a call +44 (0) 1637 226017
Select the equipment you will need at the time of booking if you need any.
Enter your credit or debit card details into our secure system to make payment. Or we can take your payment over the phone.
Once paid you’ll be sent an email confirmation and an online enrolment form to complete.
Three days before the weekend, we’ll send you your pre-trip information pack.

Newquay has many great places to stay to suit all types of budgets. Take a look here at some recommendations. 
Alternately AirBnb and Booking.com also have some great options.

Due to this weekend being in high demand, we have very limited availability. However, we can hold your space for 24 hours without payment.

Yes definitely! We pride ourselves on being super welcoming and friendly. Most of our guests arrive solo and leave with friends for life.

If you book in a group of 5, the fifth person will be free.

Yes! This is a scenario that we are very familiar with. Why not make a family break of the weekend? You can join the surf weekend with us while the rest of your family enjoy Newquay. Please contact us if you need a hand organising accommodation. Book early to avoid disappointment and get the best prices.

You will be sent your pre-arrival information on the Monday before the weekend. We will send you the Saturday and Sunday morning meeting time and location in your pre-weekend information pack.

Yes, we can store your bag and other belongings at our centre.

Yes! There are warm, outdoor showers at the centre. Perfect for a quick rinse off.

We choose our fave coastal restaurant because of the range of great menu options that it has available. All dietary requirements are catered for.

We finish around lunch on Sunday afternoon. If you need to leave earlier then please let us know at time of booking and we can make sure that your group sessions are timed so that you finish in time to get away.

Equipment hire is included. We do not offer a discount for bringing your own equipment.

Yes, we have a full range of hire equipment that we can present to you and recommend the most suitable board for you to progress on.

You’ll be asked to fill in an enrolment form as part of the booking process. You’ll signify which level of surfer you are. You may be in different groups suited to your ability. However, there will be plenty of time to see each other back at camp and during our social evening meals.

Yes absolutely. We can deliver extra surfing lessons at any time just give us a call on +44 (0) 1637 226017 to arrange the best time for your lesson.

We choose the time of year and location for our events based on local knowledge and historical swell data. In the event of flat waves or stormy conditions, we will offer alternative activities to help you get the most out of the ocean conditions. This may include stand up paddleboarding, coasteering, kayaking or other coastal activities.

We may adjust the format of the weekend. For example, choosing to run all of the sessions on Sunday if that’s when the waves are at their best.

Please view our T&Cs for more information.

With decades of experience and knowledge within our team, we pick the best dates that the surf conditions are most consistent and will be most suitable for the group. We’ll send you a brief predicted forecast in the pre-weekend pack on the Wednesday before the weekend. We choose Newquay due to the huge variety of beaches. The beautiful long sandy beaches offer peaks for all abilities, the skill is to know which is best on the tide and wind conditions that are on offer. That’s where our local guides are worth their weight in gold. We pride ourselves in having you in the right place for the best waves for your ability each weekend.

If you are under 18 we will need to chat to you on the phone and you will need to be accompanied on the trip by a parent or guardian throughout the weekend (they don’t have to participate). If you are 65 or over we’d love to chat to you about the weekend before you book. Please email us to arrange a time and we’ll contact you. Or you can call us on +44 (0) 1637 226017.

No, we have a great mix of all ages. Surfing shows no age boundaries. We welcome whippersnappers to silver surfers and everything in between.

After meeting on Saturday morning, we’ll split each group according to ability levels. After getting changed, we’ll take a short walk to the beach.

We ask that all participants can swim in order to take part in the weekend.

The emphasis is on fun and embracing the cool water swim. There is no pressure to swim any distance.

There is a pay and display car park a short walk from our meeting point. We will supply further details and costs in the pre weekend information pack.

If you’re based outside the UK and want to chat through the weekend details, you can contact us via our online chat.

If your circumstances change and you can’t join the trip, please let us know as soon as possible via email. Your cancellation notice will start from the date we receive it.

Cancellation terms:

We hold part or full costs, depending on when you cancel:

If you cancel 12 weeks or more before the trip we retain 50% of the total cost
If you cancel with less than 12 weeks before the trip then its 100% of the total cost
Cancellation may fall under the terms and conditions of your holiday insurance policy and you may be able to claim.